Apparatus for lifting cylindrical objects



Feb- 14, 1950 J. J. FERRARIO nm. 2,497,118

APPARATUS FOR LITING CYLINDRIQAL OBJECTS Filed May 20,.,1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Arme/vir.:

Feb. 14, 1950 J. J. FERRARIO ETAL APPARATUS FOR LIFTING CYLINDRICAL oBJEcTs 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 20, 1947 5 mmm W m Aw. mF.w,A .J uwwmW JJ Nif-IPY n B Patented Feb. 14, 1950 John J. Ferrario and Joseph Dondero,l

i SanA Francisco, Calif.

Appucanbn Mayzo, 1947, serial No. 749,312

9 Claims. (Cl. 214-66) The present invention relates to articles lifting devices, and is more particularly directed to devices forrlifting and firmly holding cylindrical objects, such as paper rolls 'for newsprint, pipe and the like.

An object ofthe invention is to provide an im proved apparatus for holding, lifting andtilting heavy cylindrical objects. Such apparatus is at-v tachable to an industrial truck to enable conveyance of the cylindrical objects along the floor of a dock, warehouse or other establishment.

Another object'of the invention is to provide an apparatus capable 'of clamping on to a cylindrical` object, lifting such object and tilting it through a substantial angle, as between hori-v zontal and vertical positions. e

Still another object of the invention is to provide an 'apparatus' capable of simultaneously clamping on to a plurality of cylindrical objects, lifting such objects from. the ground,I floor or other support, and tilting them through a'substantial angle.

A further object of the invention is to provide an hydraulically actuatable device for lifting and tilting heavy cylindrical objects, which device is relatively easy to control and capable of comparatively'rapid operation.

One form which the invention may assume is exemplified in the following description and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. rl is a-front elevation of an apparatus for handling a plurality of cylindrical objects, such as rolls of newsprint paper. l

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 1.- l

Fig.l 3 is a topplan view on an enlarged scale of one-half of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal view, partly in section and partly. in elevation, showing primarily the tilting mechanism and' the main frame or sup` port of the apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a diagram of the hydraulic system for controlling and operating the apparatus.

The embodiment of apparatus specically illustrated in the drawings has been designed primarily for the handling of large, heavy rolls o1 paper used in. newspaper plants. Although speciflc reference will be made in this specification to the handling of newsprint paper, it is to be understood that the apparatus is capable of handling other cylindrical objects, and, in its broader sense, objects of various forms. v

I'he rolls of paper I0 areadaptedto be clamped to a transverse tiltable frame II, whose oppositely facing curved or arcuate inner surfaces I2 may receive the rolls. A curved supporting plate I3 is welded or otherwisesecured to each inner arcuate surface I 2 ofthe frame, against which a paper roll is to be urged. In eiect, these curved plates I3 converge downwardly toward each other toward a narrow lower adjoining edge I4, which maybecurved.v A movable curved clamping jaw I5 is disposed at each side of the transverse frame'll and is adapted to engage the opposite side of the curved surface of the cylindrical roll of paper II) to force it against the supporting plate I3, whereby the paper is clamped to the frame;A This curved jaw has a generally concave or arcuate inner surface I6 and a pair ofvspaced lugsor ears il; through the medialfportion of which extends a' pivot bolt I8,`passing' through the lower end o i' alever I9 disposed between the lugs. 'The lever is pivotally mounted on a bolt 20 extending through its medialportion and also through the end'of the tiltable frame Il, the' upper arm of the lever havingbifurcated ends'2I throughand` between which a pivot pin 22 extends,` pivotally receiving the outer endof a piston frod 23 extending in to a transversely arranged'cylinder 25 located in the upper portion of the tiltable frame. The inner end 25 of thecylinder is swingably mounted upon la pivot bolt 26 secured to the upper portion of the frame ll.: f 'i `f Fluid under pressure is adapted to enter the piston end 25 of the cylinder and also the rod end 21 of the cylinder, in order to move `the piston 23 and attached rod 23 transversely of the apparatus, and, because of its pinned connection 22 with the lever I9, swing the movable jaw I5 to and from the stationary curved jaw I3, to clamp a. roll of' paper I Il to the frame II or to unclamp it therefrom. It is apparent that such pivotal movement can occur freely because of the pivotal mounting 26 of the inner end 25 offthe cylinder on the frame II. It is also to be notedthat the tendency'for gravity to swing the movablejaw I5 about its pivot pin I8v toa horizontal, pendant; positionis limitedby engagement of the back side I5a of the jaw with the lower end 29 of the lever arm I9, which functions as a stop.

The mechanism for clamping each cylindrical roll of paper is the same on both sides of the machine, the device being essentially symmetrical about a longitudinal` vertical plane passing through the apparatus, although the parts are ar. ranged in opposed relation.` For that reason, the description of one side of'thedevice in this speciflcation will sucefor both sides. y

By virtue of a suitable valve mechanism, referred to hereinafter, nuid under pressure simultancously enters either the rod ends 21 of both cylinders 24 or their head ends 25, to swing the movable jaws I simultaneously inwardly or outwardly to clamp two rolls of paper Il to the supporting frame II at the same time, or to unclamp such rolls of paper therefrom.

Assuming that the rolls of paper are resting on their sides adjacent one another upon the iloor of a warehouse or dock, the apparatus may be disposed thereover and the pistons 2l moved outwardly to swing the movable jaws I 5 inwardly against the rolls of paper I5, forcing them against the inner supporting plates I3, and thus clamping them to the frame Il. Thereafter, the rolls may be liftedby elevating the truck boom 30 of an industrial truck of a known design, to be referred to hereinafter, and, if desired, the rolls may be tilted to a vertical position for placing on their ends.

In order to provide for tilting the transverse frame II about a horizontal axis, a pair of opposed side frames 3| are provided, each frame being of generally triangular form and composed of integrated vertical, horizontal and diagonal legs 32, 33, 34. A cross frame member 55 extends betweenand is secured to the side frames Il. Rearwardly extending brackets 35 are welded, or otherwise suitably secured, to the side frames 3l, being secured to the vertical boom 30 of an industrial truck of any suitable type in which the boom is telescopically arranged to permit its substantial elevation, to correspondingly elevate or lower the entire apparatus and any objects that may be carried thereby. In view of the extent of overhang of the frame 3| of the apparatus from the truck boom 30, the former normally tends to remain in engagement with the front of the boom (see Fig. 2)

The transverse tiltable frame Il has a plurality of rearwardly extending arms 31, 35, 39 welded or otherwise secured to it, such arms including, on each side of the central longitudinal vertical plane of the apparatus, a pair of outer members 31, 38 disposed on opposite sides of a side frame 3| and pivotally mounted upon a fulcrum rod 40 extending through the rear arm bearing bosses 4I, 42 and an intervening bearing boss 43 on the forward end of the side frame 3| at the lower juncture of the horizontal and diagonal legs 33, 34. The inner arm 35 is welded to a sleeve or tube 44 extending across the apparatus for attachment to the corresponding boss 42 of the arm Il on the other side of the apparatus.

The tiltable frame Il also has an inner arm 35 secured to it on each side of its central vertical plane, which is welded to the sleeve 44 and projects rearwardly thereof to provide a lever of the first class. A disk 45 is mounted upon a central bolt 46 extending through the rear end of the inner arm 35, there being another bolt 41 extending through a selected hole of a plurality of circumferentially arranged holes 45 in the disk and through a hole in the inner arm 39 adjacent the bolt 48. A pivot pin 49 fits within one of the other holes 45 in the disk and through the lower end of a piston rod 50 -disposed centrally of the apparatus, the pin 45 extending on the other side of the central longitudinal vertical plane for pivotal attachment to a corresponding disk 45 bolted to a corresponding inner arm 39 on the other side of the machine. As stated above, both sides of the apparatus are symmetri- 4 cal about its longitudinal vertical plane, the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 3 being duplicated on the other side of the vertical center line.

The entire frame II may be tilted about the horizontal axis of the fulcrum rod 4l by means of a hydraulic mechanism, including the piston rod 50 referred to above. This rod extends inta an inclined cylinder 5I and has a piston 52 at its upper end. Fluid under pressure may be introduced into the head end 53 of the cylinder to force the piston 52 and its rod 5l downwardly, which will swing the rear ends of the tilt arms 39 downwardly and their outer ends upwardly. to tilt the frame I I upwardly about the horizontal axis of the fulcrum rod 40, which swinging action will also move the paper rolls Il from a horizontal position toward a vertical position. Such swinging vaction can cccur without restraint from the apparatus because of the pivotal mounting of the upper end 53 of the cylinder 5| on a fulcrum bolt 54 supported within the ears 55 of brackets 56 welded to the cross member 3l of the stationary frame. As indicated, by introducing pressure into the upper head end 53 of the tilt cylinder 5I, the tiltable frame Ii will be swung upwardly about its horizontal axis, and, by relieving the pressure, the load of the tiltable frame I I and of the paper rolls Il carried thereby will swing the transverse tiltable frame to a downward position, such as indicated in Pig. 2.

The hydraulic system for controlling the operation cf the device is disclosed in Fig. 5. The head ends 25 of the clamping cylinders 24 are connected through tubing 51 to a common tube or line 58 leading to a clamp control valve 5|. which communicates with a reservoir 5I through a suitable line 6|-, 52 and also with a pump I3, which can draw iluid, such as oil, from the reservoir 60 through its intake line Il and force it under pressure through its discharge line Il into the valve 5S. This clamp valve 55 also may be placed into communication with both rod ends 21 of the cylinders 24 through a suitable line l5 having branches 61 running to such outer cylinder ends.

A tilt valve 55 is also provided for controlling the psage of iluid to and from the tilt cylinder 5|. A suitable tubing 55 runs from the head end 53 of the cylinder to the valve I8, from which a line 1li connects to the high pressure pipev l5 leading from the pump 53, another line 1| running to the pipe 62 and the reservoir. Suitable manipulation of this tilt valve 5l determines whether fluid under pressure may enter the tilt cylinder 5I to force its piston 52 and rod 5I downwardly, or whether iluld in such cylinder may bleed to the reservoir 85, permitting the load to be tilted back to a horizontal position.

The clamp valve 55 and tilt valve 58 are of known constructions, the clamp valve being of a type capable of selectively connecting the high pressure end 65 of the pump 53 to the head ends 25 of the clamp cylinders 24, while connecting the other ends 21 of the cylinders to the reservoir or which can simultaneously connect the rod ends 21 of such cylinders to the pump 53, and allow the head ends 25 of the cylinders to bleed back to the reservoir. 'I'he tilt valve 5l either may be moved to connect the head end 55 of the tilt cylinder 5I with the pump 53 or connect such cylinder with the reservoir Il. Further details oi the valves are unnecessary for an understandlng of the present invention, since they are of known construction andoperation, and may be purchased on the open market.

The apparatus is connected to the truck boom Il by means oi bolts 12 passing through the brackets Il. and may initially occupy the position disclosed in Fig. 2 or the tilt piston l2 may be moved downwardly to cause the tiltable frame Il and the supporting plates i3 and movable jaws il carried thereby to swing through approximately 90 degrees to a horizontal position, depending upon the position of the rolls ot paper Il to be moved from one location to another. Assuming that such rolls of paper are lying on their sides in a horizontal position, the industrial truck; with the apparatus arranged in the manner illustrated in full lines in Fig. 2,

is moved over the paper rolls and the truck Iboom 3l lowered until the curved supporting plates IJ rest upon two adjacent rolls of paper.

The clamp valve 59 is then suitably manipulated so thatvi'iuid under pressure supplied by the pump t3 passes through the branch tubes l1 leading to the inner head ends of the clamp to a vertical position, the tilt valve B8 may be appropriately manipulated to place the line i! leading to the tilt cylinder in communication with the discharge line 65 of the pump, the fluid under pressure forcing the tilt piston 52 and rod I0 downwardly and swinging the frame II about the horizontal axis of the flulcrum rod I0 to a position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, wherein the paper Arolls are disposed with their axes vertical. The truck boom 3l may now be lowered, if desired, until the paper rolls rest on their ends upon the iloor or ground, whereupon the clamp valve 59 may again be suitably manipulated to connect the discharge line 85 of the pump with the tubing I1 leading to the outer rod ends 21 of the cylinders 24, the inner head ends 25 of the cylinders then being allowed to bleed back to the reservoir .6) through the lines 58, 6i, l2. The uid under pressure may be availed of to move the pistons 2l inwardly toward one another in order to swing the jaws i5 outwardly to their full extent, thus unclamp ing the rolls of paper and allowing the industrial truck to be backed away from such rolls and the apparatus moved to pick up other rolls or objects.

The leverage on the tilting arms Il may be changed by attaching the pin 49 passing through the lower end of the tilt piston rod 5l through one of the other holes Il in the disks I5 bolted to the rear arms of the tilt levers I9. Location of the pin 4! closer to the axis o! the fulcrum rod requires more force to eilect a tilting action on the tiltable frame Il and the objects carried thereby, but the tilting action mayoccur at a faster rate, because of the shorter travel required of the tilt piston l2.

In the event that the radius of curvature of the clamp surfaces i3 and o! the curved jaws I5 is substantially the same as the cylindrical rolls of paper, the unclamping action may be retarded through the creation o! a vacuum on the paper as the jaws Ii move outwardly. ,In order to avoid the formation o! such a vacuum. the supporting plates and jaws may be provided 6 with periorations Il to allow the entry ci air tomtheir inner surfaces and the adjoining outer airlaces o! the paper.

From the foregoing specinc description of the 5 parts. it is apparent that the apparatus may be used to convey objects, and particularly cylindrical objects. from one point to another while they are disposed in a horizontal position, or while they are disposed in a vertical position, and to transfer such objects from a horizontal to a vertical position. or vice versa.: 'I'he ability to elevate the truck boom Il to a substantial height or extent, as is well known in the industrial truck art, allows rolls of heavy paper to be moved very readily by the apparatus and truck and to be stacked one upon the other, depending upon the extent to which the truck boom may be elevated. In Aactual use, it has been possible to stack at least two rows of cylindrical paper rolls upon one another, and to remove rolls of paper from the upper row with facility.

. The apparatus maybe secured as a unit to the Y. boom 3l of an industrial truck very readily, simply through passing the bolts 12 through the brackets 3l and boom. It is, of course, apparent that the apparatus may be attached to any other suitable conveyance and will be capable of being clamped about cylindrical objects which may then be elevated from a supporting surface and tilted between a horizontal and vertical position if desired, and conveyed from one location to another.

While we have shown the preferred form of our invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its construction by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described, including a tiltable frame having a pair of fixed inner oppositively arranged concave jaws, a pair of movable outer concave jaws, each movable jaw being opposite a ilxed jaw, means connected to said movable jaws and mounted on said frame,

hydraulically operable means on said frame connected to said means for simultaneously moving said movable jaws to and from said fixed iaws, a

supporting frame, means pivotally mounting said tiltable frame on said supporting frame for tilting about a generally horizontal axis, and hydraulically operable means on said supporting frame connected to said tiltable frame for swinging said tiltable frame about said axis.

2. A device of the character described, including a tiltable frame having a pair of ilxed inner oppositely arranged arcuate jaws, a pair of movable outer arcuate jaws, each movable jaw being opposite a fixed jaw, a pair of levers each conso nected to a movable jaw and pivotally mounted on said frame, a pair of oppositely arranged cylinders pivotally mounted on said frame, pistons in said cylinders each connected to a lever for similitaneously swinging said movable jaws to and from B5 said iixed jaws, a supporting frame, means pivotally mounting said tiltable frame on said supporting frame for tilting about a generally horizontal axis. a tilt cylinder pivotally mounted on said supporting frame, and a piston in said cylin- 70 d er connected to said tiltable frame for swinging said tiltable frame about said axis.

3. A d evice of the character deiined in claim 2, including a fluid reservoir, a pump connected to said reservoir, valve means for selectively determiningthepassageofiiuidbetweensaidpairol cylinders and either said pump or reservoir, and valve means for selectively determining the iiow of iiuid between said tilt cylinder and either said pump or reservoir.

4. A device of the character described comprising a main frame adapted to -be mounted on the boom of a lift truck, a second frame revolubly mounted on said main frame i'orv rotation about a horizontal axis, a pair of opposed jaws mounted on said second frame including a movable jaw pivotal toward and away from the other jaw, and hydraulic means for pivoting said second frame about said horizontal axis and for pivoting said movable jaw toward and away from said other Jaw.

5. A device of the character described comprising a main frame adapted to be mounted on the boom of a lift truck, a second frame revolubly mounted on said main irame for rotation about a horizontal axis, a pair of opposed jaws mounted on said second frame. one of said jaws being ilxed to said second frame and the other jaw being pivotable toward and away from said ilxed jaw. and hydraulic means for pivoting said second frame about said horizontal axis and for pivoting said pivotable jaw toward and away from said iixed Jaw.

6. A device of the character described comprising a main lframe adapted to be mounted on the boom of a lift truck, a second frame revolubly mounted on said main frame for rotation about a horizontal axis, a pair of inner jaws arranged in back-to-back relationship and ilxed with respect to said inner frame, a complemental pair or outer jaws, each pivotably mounted upon said second frame for pivotal movement toward and away from the companion xed jaw, and hydraulic means for pivoting said second frame about said horizontal .axis and for pivoting said pivotable Jaw toward and away from said ilxed jaw.

7. A device of the character described comprising a main frame adapted to be mounted on the boom of a lift truck, a second frame revolubly mounted on said main frame for rotation about a horizontal axis, a pair oi.' iixed jaws ilxed to said second frame, a pair of movable jaws, a lever for each said movable jaw, each said lever being pivotally supported upon said second frame and being operable to pivot its movable jaw toward and away from the companion xed jaw, and hydraulic means for pivoting said second frame about said horizontal axis and for pivoting said levers and movable jaws toward and away from said ilxed jaws.

8, A device of the character described comprising a main frame adapted to be mounted on the boom of a lift truck, a second frame revolubly mounted on said main frame for rotation about a horizontal airis, a lever pivotally supported by said main trame and operable to pivot said second frame about said horizontal axis, hydraulic means for actuating said lever, and means interconnecting said hydraulic means and lever, such means being adjustable so as to actuate said lever relatively rapidly or relatively slowly, a pair o! ilxed jaws fixed to said second frame and a complemental pair of movable jaws pivotably supported upon said second frame, and hydraulic means for pivoting said movable Jaws toward and away from said ilxed jaws.

9. A device oi' the character described comprising a main frame adapted to be mounted on the boom of a lift truck, a second frame revolubly mounted on said main trame for rotation about a horizontal axis, a lever pivotally supported by said main frame and operable to pivot said second trame about said horimntal axis, hydraulic means for actuating said lever, means interconnecting said hydraulic means and lever, such means being adjustable to vary the distance between the point oi' connection and the fulcrum of said lever, a

pair of ilxed jaws iixed to said second trame, a

complemental pair of movable jaws pivotally supported upon said Vi'rame for pivotal movement toward and away from the fixed jaws, a lever for each movable jaw, each said lever being pivotally supported upon said second frame and operable to pivot its movable jaw toward and away from the companion xed jaw, and hydraulic means lor JOHN J. FERRARIO. JEPH DONDERO.

americas crrsn The following references are of record in the ille oi' this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS actuating said levers.

France Nov. 14, 1931 

